Need help on Steam unit heater

D. Johnson

I have a steam unit heater in a bar that must be replaced, it's leaking, it is fed with 1 1/4 " steel piping, prior to the unit heater there is a 1 1//4" check valve/trap in-line, the piping then feeds the bottom of the unit and exits out the top to somewhere up above the old suspended ceiling. Does this sound right?? and is this check valve actually a steam trap and no doubt it should be replaced along with the unit heater??? Any help/advise would be appreciated.
Don

Steamhead

The steam

should feed that heater from the top. The check valve is probably there to keep steam from entering the heater backwards if it's hooked up to a one-pipe main.

Tell us more about the system this heater is connected to. If you can, take pics and post them- this will help us identify what you have there.

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Tony Conner_2

Are You...

... sure it's steam, and not hot water?

D. Johnson

Thanks Steamhead, it's a one pipe system...cast-iron rads are located in the 2nd and 3rd floor above the 1st floor bar area. The unit heater is the only source of heat in the bar area. Most of the piping is buried behind paneling and ceilings...I suspect most of it is screwed-up. I've not had much experience with these steam unit heaters though. Thanks. Don

Steamhead

If the steam mains

are in the basement, you should be able to find the risers to the heater. Find out where the return line goes.

I prefer a water seal to a check valve in this type of installation.

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